DNA sequences encoding growth/differentiation

ABSTRACT

The invention provides DNA sequences encoding novel members of the TGF-β family of proteins. The TGF-β family comprises proteins which function as growth and/or differentiation factors and which are useful in medical applications. Accordingly, the invention also describes the isolation of the above-mentioned DNA sequences, the expression of the encoded proteins, the production of said proteins and pharmaceutical compositions containing said proteins.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/289,222 filed Aug. 12, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application PCT/EP93/00350, filed Feb. 12, 1993, and designating the U.S.

The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding novel growth/differentiation factors of the TGF-β family. In particular, it relates to novel DNA sequences encoding TGF-β-like proteins, to the isolation of said DNA sequences, to expression plasmids containing said DNA, to microorganisms transformed by said expression plasmid, to the production of said protein by culturing said transformant, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing said protein. The TGF-β family of growth factors comprising BMP, TGF, and Inhibin related proteins (Roberts and Sporn, Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 95 (1990), 419-472) is of particular relevance in a wide range of medical treatments and applications. These factors are useful in processes relating to wound healing and tissue repair. Furthermore, several members of the TGF-β family are tissue inductive, especially osteo-inductive, and consequently play a crucial role in inducing cartilage and bone development.

Wozney, Progress in Growth Factor Research 1 (1989), 267-280 and Vale et al., Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology 95 (1990), 211-248 describe different growth factors such as those relating to the BMP (bone morphogenetic proteins) and the Inhibin group. The members of these groups share significant structural similarity. The precursor of the protein is composed of an aminoterminal signal sequence, a propeptide and a carboxyterminal sequence of about 110 amino acids, which is subsequently cleaved from the precursor and represents the mature protein. Furthermore, their members are defined by virtue of amino acid sequence homology. The mature protein contains the most conserved sequences, especially seven cysteine residues which are conserved among the family members. The TGF-β-like proteins are multifunctional, hormonally active growth factors. They also share related biological activities such as chemotactic attraction of cells, promoting cell differentiation and their tissue-inducing capacity, such as cartilage- and bone-inducing capacity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,649 discloses DNA sequences encoding osteo-inductive proteins termed BMP-2 proteins (bone morphogenetic protein), and U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 179 101 and 179 197 disclose the BMP proteins BMP-1 and BMP-3. Furthermore, many cell types are able to synthesize TGF-β-like proteins and virtually all cells possess TGF-β receptors.

Taken together, these proteins show differences in their structure, leading to considerable variation in their detailed biological function. Furthermore, they are found in a wide variety of different tissues and developmental stages. Consequently, they might possess differences concerning their function in detail, for instance the required cellular physiological environment, their lifespan, their targets, their requirement for accessory factors, and their resistance to degradation. Thus, although numerous proteins exhibiting tissue-inductive, especially osteo-inductive potential are described, their natural role in the organism and, more importantly, their medical relevance must still be elucidated in detail. The occurrence of still-unknown members of the TGF-β family relevant for osteogenesis or differentiation/induction of other tissues is strongly suspected. However, a major problem in the isolation of these new TGF-β-like proteins is that their functions cannot yet be described precisely enough for the design of a discriminative bioassay. On the other hand, the expected nucleotide sequence homology to known members of the family would be too low to allow for screening by classical nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Nevertheless, the further isolation and characterization of new TGF-β-like proteins is urgently needed in order to get hold of the whole set of induction and differentiation proteins meeting all desired medical requirements. These factors might find useful medical applications in defect healing and treatments of degenerative disorders of bone and/or other tissues like, for example, kidney and liver.

Thus, the technical problem underlying the present invention essentially is to provide DNA sequences coding for new members of the TGF-β protein family having mitogenic and/or differentiation-inductive, e.g. osteo-inductive potential.

The solution to the above technical problem is achieved by providing the embodiments characterized in claims 1 to 14. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments and the drawings. The sequence listings and drawings will now briefly be described.

SEO ID NO. 1 shows the nucleotide sequence of MP-52, i.e. the embryo derived sequence corresponding to the mature peptide and most of the sequence coding for the propeptide of MP-52.

Some of the propeptide sequence at the 5′-end of MP-52 has not been characterized so far.

SEO ID NO. 2 shows the nucleotide sequence of MP-121, i.e. the liver derived sequence corresponding to the mature peptide, the sequence coding for the propeptide of MP-121, and sequences 5′ and 3′ to the coding region. The start codon begins with nucleotide 128 of SEQ ID NO.2. The sequence coding for the mature MP121 polypeptide begins with nucleotide 836 of SEQ ID NO. 2. The stop codon begins with nucleotide 1184 of SEQ ID NO. 2. The sequence coding for the precursor protein has a length of 1056 bp. The sequence coding for the propeptide has a length of 708 bp and the sequence coding for the mature peptide has a length of 348 bp.

SEO ID NO. 3 shows the amino acid sequence of MP-52 as deduced from SEQ ID NO. 1.

SEQ ID NO. 4 shows the amino acid sequence of MP-121 as deduced from sequence SEQ ID NO.2. The sequence of the mature polypeptide begins with amino acid 237 of SEQ ID NO. 4. The precursor protein has a length of 352 amino acids. The propeptide and the mature peptide have a length of 236 and 116 amino acids, respectively.

SEO ID NO. 5 shows a part of the nucleotide sequence of the liver derived sequence of MP-121.

SEO ID NO. 6 shows a part of the nucleotide sequence of the embryo derived sequence of MP-52.

The shorter DNA-sequences SEQ ID NO. 5 and 6 can be useful for example for isolation of further members of the TGF-β-protein family.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B shows an alignment of the amino acid sequences of MP-52 and MP-121 starting from the first of the seven conserved cysteines with some related proteins. 1 a shows the alignment of MP-52 with some members of the BMP protein family [BMP 2 (SEQ ID NO:23), BMP 4 (SEQ ID NO:24), BMP 5 (SEQ ID NO:25), BMP 6 (SEQ ID NO:26), and BMP 7 (SEQ ID NO:27)]; 1 b shows the alignment of MP-121 with some members of the Inhibin protein family [InhibβA (SEQ ID NO:29), lnhibβB (SEQ ID NO:30), and Inhibα(SEQ ID NO:31)]. * indicates that the amino acid is the same in all proteins compared; +indicates that the amino acid is the same in at least one of the proteins compared with MP-52,(SEQ ID NO:22) (FIG. 1a) or MP-121 (SEQ ID NO:28) (FIG. 1b).

FIGS. 2a and 2 b show the nucleotide sequences of the oligo-nucleotide primer as used in the present invention and an alignment of these sequences with known members of the TGF-β family. M means A or C; S means C or G; R means A or G; and K means G or T. 2 a depicts the sequence of the primer OD (SEQ ID NO: 32),BMP2 (SEQ ID NO:33), BMP 3 (SEQ ID NO:34), BMP 4(SEQ ID NO:35), BMP 7 (SEQ ID NO:36), TGF-β1 (SEQ ID NO:37), TGF-β2 (SEQ ID NO:38), TGF-β3 (SEQ ID NO:39), Inhibinα(SEQ ID NO:40), Inhibin βA (SEQ ID NO:41), and Inhibin βB(SEQ ID NO:42); 2 b shows the sequence of the primer OID (SEQ ID NO:43), BMP 2 (SEQ ID NO:44), BMP 3 (SEQ ID NO:45), BMP 4(SEQ ID NO:46), BMP 7 (SEQ ID NO:47), TGF-β1 (SEQ ID NO:48), TGF-β2 (SEQ ID NO:49), TGF-β3 (SEQ ID NO:50), Inhibinα (SEQ ID NO:51), Inhibin βA (SEQ ID NO:52), and Inhibin βB(SEQ ID NO:53).

The present invention relates to novel TGF-g-like proteins and provides DNA sequences contained in the corresponding agenes. Such sequences include nucleotide sequences comprising the sequence

(SEQ ID NO:7) ATGAACTCCATGGACCCCGAGTCCACA (SEQ ID NO:7) and

(SEQ ID NO:8) CTTCTCAAGGCCAACACAGCTGCAGGCACC (SEQ ID NO:8)

and in particular sequences as illustrated in SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 2, allelic derivatives of said sequences and DNA sequences degenerated as a result of the genetic code for said sequences. They also include DNA sequences hybridizing under stringent conditions with the DNA sequences mentioned above and containing the following amino acid sequences:

(SEQ ID NO:9) Met-Asn-Ser-Met-Asp-Pro-Glu-Ser-Thr (SEQ ID NO:9) or

(SEQ IN NO:10) Leu-Leu-Lys-Ala-Asn-Thr-Ala-Ala-Gly-Thr (SEQ ID NO:10).

Although said allelic, degenerate and hybridizing sequences may have structural divergencies due to naturally occurring mutations, such as small deletions or substitutions, they will usually still exhibit essentially the same useful properties, allowing their use in basically the same medical applications.

According to the present invention, the term “hybridization” means conventional hybridization conditions, preferably conditions with a salt concentration of 6 x SSC at 62° to 66° C. followed by a one-hour wash with 0.6 x SSC, 0.1% SDS at 62° to 66° C. The term “hybridization” preferably refers to stringent hybridization conditions with a salt concentration of 4 x SSC at 62°-66° C. followed by a one-hour wash with 0.1 x SSC, 0.1 SDS at 62°-66° C.

Important biological activities of the encoded proteins, preferably MP-52, comprise a mitogenic and osteo-inductive potential and can be determined in assays according to Seyedin et al., PNAS 82 (1985), 2267-2271 or Sampath and Reddi, PNAS 78 (1981), 7599-7603.

The biological properties of the proteins according to the invention, preferably MP-121, may be determined, e.g., by means of the assays according to Wrana et al. (Cell 71, 1003-1014 (1992)), Ling et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. of Science, 82, 7217-7221 (1985)), Takuwa et al. (Am. J. Physiol., 257, E797-E803 (1989)), Fann and Patterson (Proc. Natl. Acad. of Science, 91, 43-47 (1994)), Broxmeyer et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. of Science, 85, 9052-9056 (1988)), Green et al. (Cell, 71, 731-739 (1992)), Partridge et al. (Endocrinology, 108, 213-219 (1981)) or Roberts et al. (PNAS 78, 5339-5343 (1981)).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are DNA sequences as defined above and obtainable from vertebrates, preferably mammals such as pig or cow and from rodents such as rat or mouse, and in particular from primates such as humans.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention are the DNA sequences termed MP-52 and MP-121 which are shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 2. The corresponding transcripts of MP-52 were obtained from embryogenic tissue and code for a protein showing considerable amino acid homology to the mature part of the BMP-like proteins (see FIG. 1a). The protein sequences of BMP2 (=BMP2A) and BMP4 (=BMP2B) are described in Wozney et al., Science Vol 242, 1528-1534 (1988). The respective sequences of BMP5, BMP6 and BMP7 are described in Celeste et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol 87, 9843-9847 (1990). Some typical sequence homologies, which are specific to known BMP-sequences only, were also found in the propeptide part of MP-52, whereas other parts of the precursor part of MP-52 show marked differences to BMP-precursors. The mRNA of MP-121 was detected in liver tissue, and its correspondig amino acid sequence shows homology to the amino acid sequences of the Inhibin protein chains (see FIG. 1b). cDNA sequences encoding TGF-β-like proteins have not yet been isolated from liver tissue, probably due to a low abundance of TGF-β specific transcripts in this tissue. In embryogenic tissue, however, sequences encoding known TGF-β-like proteins can be found in relative abundance. The inventors have recently detected the presence of a Collection of TGF-β-like proteins in liver as well. The high background level of clones related to known factors of this group presents the main difficulty in establishing novel TGF-β-related sequences from these and probably other tissues. In the present invention, the cloning was carried out according to the method described below. Once the DNA sequence has been cloned, the preparation of host cells capable of producing the TGF-β-like proteins and the production of said proteins can be easily accomplished using known recombinant DNA techniques comprising constructing the expression plasmids encoding said protein and transforming a host cell with said expression plasmid, cultivating the transformant in a suitable culture medium, and recovering the product having TGF-β-like activity.

Thus, the invention also relates to recombinant molecules comprising DNA sequences as described above, optionally linked to an expression control sequence. Such vectors may be useful in the production of TGF-β-like proteins in stably or transiently transformed cells. Several animal, plant, fungal and bacterial systems may be employed for the transformation and subsequent cultivation process. Preferably, expression vectors which can be used in the invention contain sequences necessary for the replication in the host cell and are autonomously replicable. It is also preferable to use vectors containing selectable marker genes which can be easily selected for transformed cells. The necessary operation is well-known to those skilled in the art.

It is another object of the invention to provide a host cell transformed by an expression plasmid of the invention and capable of producing a protein of the TGF-β family. Examples of suitable host cells include various eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, such as E. coli, insect cells, plant cells, mammalian cells, and fungi such as yeast.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protein of the TGF-β family encoded by the DNA sequences described above and displaying biological features such as tissue-inductive, in particular osteo-inductive and/or mitogenic capacities possibly relevant to therapeutical treatments. The above-mentioned features of the protein might vary depending upon the formation of homodimers or heterodimers. Such structures may prove useful in clinical applications as well. The amino acid sequence of the especially preferred proteins of the TGF-β-family (MP-52 and MP-121) are shown in SEQ ID NO. 3 and SEQ ID NO. 4.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a process for the production of TGF-β-like proteins. Such a process comprises cultivating a host cell being transformed with a DNA sequence of the present invention in a suitable culture medium and purifying the TGF-β-like protein produced. Thus, this process will allow the production of a sufficient amount of the desired protein for use in medical treatments or in applications using cell culture techniques requiring growth factors for their performance. The host cell is obtainable from bacteria such as Bacillus or Escherichia coli, from fungi such as yeast., from plants such as tobacco, potato, or Arabidopsis, and from animals, in particular vertebrate cell lines such as the Mo-, COS- or CHO cell line.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a particularly sensitive process for the isolation of DNA sequences corresponding to low abundance mRNAs in the tissues of interest. The process of the invention comprises the combination of four different steps. First, the mRNA has to be isolated and used in an amplification reaction using olignucleotide primers. The sequence of the oligonucleotide primers contains degenerated DNA sequences derived from the amino acid sequence of proteins related to the gene of interest. This step may lead to the amplification of already known members of the gene family of interest, and these undesired sequences would therefore have to be eliminated. This object is achieved by using restriction endonucleases which are known to digest the already-analyzed members of the gene family. After treatment of the amplified DNA population with said restriction endonucleases, the remaining desired DNA sequences are isolated by gel electrophoresis and reamplified in a third step by an amplification reaction, and in a fourth step they are cloned into suitable vectors for sequencing. To increase the sensitivity and efficiency, steps two and three are repeatedly performed, at least two times in one embodiment of this process.

In a preferred embodiment,. the isolation process described above is used for the isolation of DNA sequences from liver tissue. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the above-described process, one primer used for the PCR experiment is homologous to the polyA tail of the mRNA, whereas the second primer contains a gene-specific sequence. The techniques employed in carrying out the different steps of this process (such as amplification reactions or sequencing techniques) are known to the person skilled in the art and described, for instance, in Sambrook et al., 1989, “Molecular Cloning: A laboratory manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

It is another object of the present invention to provide pharmaceutical compositions containing a therapeutically-effective amount of a protein of the TGF-β family of the present invention. Optionally, such a composition comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such a therapeutic composition can be used in wound healing and tissue repair as well as in the healing of bone, cartilage, or tooth defects, either individually or in conjunction with suitable carriers, and possibly with other related proteins or growth factors. Thus, a therapeutic composition of the invention may include, but is not limited to, the MP-52 encoded protein in conjunction with the MP-121 encoded protein, and optionally with other known biologically-active substances such as EGF (epidermal growth factor) or PDGF (platelet derived growth factor). Another possible clinical application of a TGF-β-like protein is the use as a suppressor of the immuno response, which would prevent rejection of organ transplants. The pharmaceutical composition comprising the proteins of the invention can also be used prophylactically, or can be employed in cosmetic plastic surgery. Furthermore, the application of the composition is not limited to humans but can include animals, in particular domestic animals, as well. Possible applications of the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention include furthermore treatment or prevention of connective tissue, skin, mucous membrane, endothelial, epithelial, neuronal or renal defects, use in the case of dental implants, use as a morphogenic factor used for inducing liver tissue growth, induction of the proliferation of precursor cells or bone marrow cells, for maintaining a differentiated state and the treatment of impaired fertility or for contraception.

Finally, another object of the present invention is an antibody or antibody fragment, which is capable of specifically binding to the proteins of the present invention. Methods to raise such specific antibody are general knowledge. Preferably such an antibody is a monoclonal antibody. Such antibodies or antibody fragments might be useful for diagnostic methods.

The following examples illustrate in detail the invention disclosed, but should not be construed as limiting the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Isolation of MP-121

1.1 Total RNA was isolated from human liver tissue (40-year-old-male) by the method of Chirgwin et al., Biochemistry 18 (1979), 5294-5299. Poly A⁺ RNA was separated from total RNA by oligo (dT) chromatography according to the instructions of the manufacturer (Stratagene Poly (A) Quick columns).

1.2 For the reverse transcription reaction, poly A⁺ RNA (1-2.5 μg) derived from liver tissue was heated for 5 minutes to 65° C. and cooled rapidly on ice. The reverse transcription reagents containing 27 U RNA guard (Pharmacia), 2.5 jig oligo d(T)₁₂₋₁₈ (Pharmacia) 5 x buffer (250 mM Tris/HCl pH 8.5; 50 mM MgCl₂; 50 mM DTT; 5 mM each dNTP; 600 mM KCl) and 20 units avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (AMV, Boehringer Mannheim) per μg poly (A⁺) RNA were added. The reaction mixture (25 μl) was incubated for 2 hours at 42° C. The liver cDNA pool was stored at −20° C.

1.3 The deoxynucleotide primers OD and OID (FIG. 2) designed to prime the amplification reaction were generated on an automated DNA-synthesizer (Biosearch). Purification was done by denaturating polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isolation of the main band from the gel by isotachophoresis. The oligonucleotides were designed by aligning the nucleic acid sequences of some known members of the TGF-β family and selecting regions of the highest conservation. An alignment of this region is shown in FIG. 2. In order to facilitate cloning, both oligonucleotides contained EcoR I restriction sites and OD additionally contained an Nco I restriction site at its 5′ terminus.

1.4 In the polymerase chain reaction, a liver-derived cDNA pool was used as a template in a 50 μl reaction mixture. The amplification was performed in 1 x PCR-buffer (16.6 mM (NH₄ )₂SO₄; 67 mM Tris/HCl pH 8.8; 2 mM MgCl₂; 6.7 μM EDTA; 10 mM β-mercaptoethanol; 170 μg/ml BSA (Gibco)), 200 μM each dNTP (Pharmacia), 30 pmol each oligonucleotide (OD and OID) and 1.5 units Taq polymerase (AmpliTaq, Perkin Elmer Cetus). The PCR reaction contained cDNA corresponding to 30 ng of poly (A⁺) RNA as staring material. The reaction mixture was overlayed by paraffine and 40 cycles (cycle 1: 80s 93° C./40s 52° C./40s 72° C.; cycles 2-9: 60s 93° C./40s 52° C./40s 72° C.; cycles 10-29: 60s 93° C./40s 52° C./60s 72° C.; cycles 30-31: 60s 93° C./40s 52° C./90s 72° C.; cycle 40: 60s 93° C./40s 52° C./420s 72° C.) of the PCR were performed. Six PCR-reaction mixtures were pooled, purified by subsequent extractions with equal volumes of phenol, phenol/chloroform (1:1 (v/v)) and chloroform/isoamylalcohol (24:1 (v/v)) and concentrated by ethanol precipitation.

1.5 One half of the obtained PCR pool was sufficient for digestion with the restriction enzymes Sph I (Pharmacia) and AlwN I (Biolabs). The second half was digested in a series of reactions by the restriction enzymes Ava I (BRL), AlwN I (Biolabs) and Tfi I (Biolabs). The restriction endonuclease digestions were performed in 100 μl at 37° C. (except Tfi I at 65° C.) using 8 units of each enzyme in a 2- to 12-hour reaction in a buffer recommended by the manufacturer.

1.6 Each DNA sample was fractioned by electrophoresis using a 4% agarose gel (3% FMC Nusieve agarose, Biozym and 1% agarose, BRL) in Tris borate buffer (89 mM Trisbase, 89 mM boric acid, 2 mM EDTA, pH 8). After ethidiumbromide staining uncleaved amplification products (about 200 bp; size marker was run in parallel) were excised from the gel and isolated by phenol extraction: an equal volume of phenols was added to the excised agarose, which was minced to small pieces, frozen for 10 minutes, vortexed and centrifuged. The aqueous phase was collected, the interphase reextracted by the same volume TE-buffer, centrifuged and both aqueous phases were combined. DNA was further purified twice by phenol/chloroform and once by chloroform/isoamylalcohol extraction.

1.7 After ethanol precipitation, one fourth or one fifth of the isolated DNA was reamplified using the same 52° C./60s 72° C.; cycle 13: 60s 93° C./40s 52° C./420s 72° C.). The reamplification products were purified, restricted with the same enzymes as above and the uncleaved products were isolated from agarose gels as mentioned above for the amplification products. The reamplification followed by restriction and gel isolation was repeated once.

1.8 After the last isolation from the gel, the amplification products were digested by 4 units EcoR I (Pharmacia) for 2 hours at 37° C. using the buffer recommended by the manufacturer. One fourth of the restriction mixture was ligated to the vector pBluescriptII SK+ (Stratagene) which was digested likewise by EcoR I. After ligation, 24 clones from each enzyme combination were further analyzed by sequence analysis. The sample restricted by AlwN I and Sph I contained no new sequences, only BMP6 and Inhibin βA sequences. 19 identical new sequences, which were named MP-121, were found by the Ava I, AlwN I and Tfi I restricted samples. The MP-121 containing plasmids were called pSK MP-121 (OD/OID). One sequence differed from this mainly-found sequence by two nucleotide exchanges. Ligation reaction and transformation in E. coli HB101 were performed as described in Sambrook et al., Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual (1989). Transformants were selected by Ampicillin resistance and the plasmid DNAs were isolated according to standard protocols (Sambrook et al. (1989)). Analysis was done by sequencing the double-stranded plasmids by “dideoxyribonucleotide chain termination sequencing” with the sequencing kit “Sequenase Version 2.0” (United States Biochemical Corporation). The clone was completed to the 3′ end of the c-DNA by a method described in detail by Frohman (Amplifications, published by Perkin-Elmer Corporation, issue 5 (1990), pp 11-15). The same liver mRNA which was used for the isolation of the first fragment of MP-121 was reverse transcribed using a primer consisting of oligo dT (16 residues) linked to an adaptor primer (AGAATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACGAAGC(T)₁₆) (SEQ ID NO:11). Amplification was performed using the adaptor primer (AGAATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACG) (SEQ ID NO:12) and an internal primer (GGCTACGCCATGAACTTCTGCATA) (SEQ ID NO:13) of the MP-121 sequence. The amplification products were reamplified using a nested internal primer (ACATAGCAGGCATGCCTGGTATTG) (SEQ ID NO:14) of the MP-121 sequence and the adaptor primer. The reamplification products were cloned after restriction with Sph I in the likewise restricted vector pT7/T3 U19 (Pharmacia) and sequenced with the sequencing kit “Sequenase Version 2.0” (United States Biochemical Corporation). Clones were characterized by their sequence overlap to the 3′ end of the known MP-121 sequence.

One clone, called p121Lt 3′ MP13, was used to isolate a NcoI (blunt ended with T4 polymerase)/SphI fragment. This fragment was ligated into a pSK MP-121 (OD/OID) vector, where the OD primer sequence was located close to the T7 primer sequence of the pSK+multiple cloning site, opened with SphI/SmaI. The resulting plasmid was called pMP121DFus6. It contains MP-121 specific sequence information starting from position 922 and ending with position 1360 of SEQ ID NO. 2.

1.9 Using a DdeI fragment of pMP-121DFus6 as a probe, ranging from nucleotide 931 to nucleotide 1304 of SEQ ID NO. 2, a human liver cDNA library (Clontech, # HL3006b, Lot 36223) was screened by a common method described in detail by Ausubel et.al. (Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, published by Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (1989)). From 8.1×10⁵ phages, 24 mixed clones were isolated and re-screened using the DdeI fragment. 10 clones were confirmed and the EcoRI fragments subcloned into Bluescript SK (Stratagene, # 212206). EcoRI restriction analysis showed that one clone (SEQ ID NO:11) (SK121 L9.1, deposited by the DSM (#9177) has an insert of about 2.3 kb. This clone contains the complete reading frame of the MP121 gene and further information to the 5′ and 3′ end in addition to the sequence isolated from mRNA by the described amplification methods. The complete sequence of the EcoRI insert of SK121 L9.1 is shown in SEQ ID NO.2. The reading frame of the MP-121 gene could be confirmed by sequencing of another clone (SK121 Lll.1), having the identical reading frame sequence as SK121 L9.1. The beginning of the start codon of the MP-121 sequence of SK121 L9.1 could be determined at position 128 of SEQ ID NO.2, since there are three stop codons in-frame in front of the start codon at positions 62, 77 and 92. The start site of the mature MP-121 is at position 836 of SEQ ID NO.2 in sequence analogy to other members of the TGF-β-family, corresponding to amino acid 237 in SEQ ID NO.4. The stop codon is at position 1184 of SEQ ID NO.2.

Plasmid SK121 L9.1 was deposited under number 9177 at DSM (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen), Mascheroder Weg lb, Braunschweig, on 26.04.94).

EXAMPLE 2 Isolation of MP-52

A further cDNA sequence, MP-52, was isolated according to the above described method (Example 1) by using RNA from human embryo (8-9 weeks old) tissue. The PCR reaction contained cDNA corresponding to 20 ng of poly (A⁺) RNA as starting material. The reamplification step was repeated twice for both enzyme combinations. After ligation, 24 clones from each enzyme combination were further analyzed by sequence analysis. The sample resticted by AlwN I and Sph I yielded a new sequence which was named MP-52. The other clones comprised mainly BMP6 and one BMP7 sequence. The sample restricted by Ava I, AlwN I and Tfi I contained no new sequences, but consisted mainly of BMP7 and a few Inhibin SA sequences.

The clone was completed to the 3′ end according to the above described method (Example 1). The same embryo mRNA, which was used for the isolation of the first fragment of MP-52, was reverse transcribed as in Example 1. Amplification was performed using the adaptor primer (AGAATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACG) (SEQ ID NO:15) and an internal primer (CTTGAGTACGAGGCTTTCCACTG) (SEQ ID NO:15) of the MP-52 sequence. The amplification products were reamplified using a nested adaptor primer (ATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACGAAG) (SQE ID NO:16) and a nested internal primer (GGAGCCCACGAATCATGCAGTCA) (SEQ ID NO:17) of the MP-52 sequence. The reamplification products were cloned after restriction with Nco I in a likewise restricted vector (pUC 19 (Pharmacia #27-4951-01) with an altered multiple cloning site containing a unique Nco I restriction site) and sequenced. Clones were characterized by their sequence overlap to the 3′ end of the known MP-52 sequence. Some of these clones contain the last 143 basepairs of the 3′ end of the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the 0,56 kb 3′ non translated region (sequence not shown). One of these was used as a probe to screen a human genomic library (Stratagene #946203) by a common method described in detail by Ausubel et al. (Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, published by Greene publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (1989)). From 8×10⁵ λ phages one phage (λ2.7.4) which was proved to contain an insert of about 20 kb, was isolated and deposited by the DSM (#7387). This clone contains in addition to the sequence isolated from mRNA by the described amplification methods sequence information further to the 5′ end. For sequence analysis a Hind III fragment of about 7,5 kb was subcloned in a likewise restricted vector (Bluescript SK, Stratagene #2-12206). This plasmid, called SKL 52 (H3) MP12, was also deposited by the DSM (# 7353). Sequence information derived from this clone is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. At nucleotide No. 1050, the determined cDNA and the respective genomic sequence differ by one basepair (cDNA: G; genomic DNA: A). We assume the genomic sequence to be correct, as it was confirmed also by sequencing of the amplified genomic DNA from embryonic tissue which had been used for the mRNA preparation. The genomic DNA contains an intron of about 2 kb between basepairs 332 and 333 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The sequence of the intron is not shown. The correct exon/exon junction was confirmed by sequencing an amplification product derived from cDNA which comprises this region. This sequencing information was obtained by the help of a slightly modified method described in detail by Frohman (Amplifications, published by Perkin-Elmer Corporation, issue 5 (1990), pp 11-15). The same embryo RNA which was used for the isolation of the 3′ end of MP-52 was reverse transcribed using an internal primer of the MP-52 sequence oriented in the 5′ direction (ACAGCAGGTGGGTGGTGTGGACT) (SEQ ID NO:18). A polyA tail was appended to the 5′ end of the first strand cDNA by using terminal transferase. A two step amplification was performed first by application of a primer consisting of oligo dT and an adaptor primer (AGAATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACGAAGC(T₁₆)) (SEQ ID NO:11) and secondly an adaptor primer (AGAATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACG) (SEQ ID NO:12) and an internal primer (CCAGCAGCCCATCCTTCTCC) (SEQ ID NO:19) of the MP-52 sequence. The amplification products were reamplified using the same adaptor primer and a nested internal primer (TCCAGGGCACTAATGTCAAACACG) (SEQ ID NO:20) of the MP-52 sequence. Consecutively the reamplification products were again reamplified using a nested adaptor primer (ATTCGCATGCCATGGTCGACGAAG) (SEQ ID NO:16) and a nested internal primer (ACTAATGTCAAACACGTACCTCTG) (SEQ ID NO:21) of the MP-52 sequence. The final reamplification products were blunt end cloned in a vector (Bluescript SK, Stratagene #212206) restricted with EcoRV. Clones were characterized by their sequence overlap to the DNA of λ2.7.4.

Plasmid SKL 52 (H3) MP12 was deposited under number 7353 at DSM (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen), Mascheroder Weg lb, 3300 Braunschweig, on 10.12.1992.

Phage λ2.7.4. was deposited under number 7387 at DSM on 13.1.1993.

53 1207 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA or cDNA from mRNA unknown 1 ACCGGGCGGC CCTGAACCCA AGCCAGGACA CCCTCCCCAA ACAAGGCAGG CTACAGCCCG 60 GACTGTGACC CCAAAAGGAC AGCTTCCCGG AGGCAAGGCA CCCCCAAAAG CAGGATCTGT 120 CCCCAGCTCC TTCCTGCTGA AGAAGGCCAG GGAGCCCGGG CCCCCACGAG AGCCCAAGGA 180 GCCGTTTCGC CCACCCCCCA TCACACCCCA CGAGTACATG CTCTCGCTGT ACAGGACGCT 240 GTCCGATGCT GACAGAAAGG GAGGCAACAG CAGCGTGAAG TTGGAGGCTG GCCTGGCCAA 300 CACCATCACC AGCTTTATTG ACAAAGGGCA AGATGACCGA GGTCCCGTGG TCAGGAAGCA 360 GAGGTACGTG TTTGACATTA GTGCCCTGGA GAAGGATGGG CTGCTGGGGG CCGAGCTGCG 420 GATCTTGCGG AAGAAGCCCT CGGACACGGC CAAGCCAGCG GCCCCCGGAG GCGGGCGGGC 480 TGCCCAGCTG AAGCTGTCCA GCTGCCCCAG CGGCCGGCAG CCGGCCTCCT TGCTGGATGT 540 GCGCTCCGTG CCAGGCCTGG ACGGATCTGG CTGGGAGGTG TTCGACATCT GGAAGCTCTT 600 CCGAAACTTT AAGAACTCGG CCCAGCTGTG CCTGGAGCTG GAGGCCTGGG AACGGGGCAG 660 GGCCGTGGAC CTCCGTGGCC TGGGCTTCGA CCGCGCCGCC CGGCAGGTCC ACGAGAAGGC 720 CCTGTTCCTG GTGTTTGGCC GCACCAAGAA ACGGGACCTG TTCTTTAATG AGATTAAGGC 780 CCGCTCTGGC CAGGACGATA AGACCGTGTA TGAGTACCTG TTCAGCCAGC GGCGAAAACG 840 GCGGGCCCCA CTGGCCACTC GCCAGGGCAA GCGACCCAGC AAGAACCTTA AGGCTCGCTG 900 CAGTCGGAAG GCACTGCATG TCAACTTCAA GGACATGGGC TGGGACGACT GGATCATCGC 960 ACCCCTTGAG TACGAGGCTT TCCACTGCGA GGGGCTGTGC GAGTTCCCAT TGCGCTCCCA 1020 CCTGGAGCCC ACGAATCATG CAGTCATCCA GACCCTGATG AACTCCATGG ACCCCGAGTC 1080 CACACCACCC ACCTGCTGTG TGCCCACGCG GCTGAGTCCC ATCAGCATCC TCTTCATTGA 1140 CTCTGCCAAC AACGTGGTGT ATAAGCAGTA TGAGGACATG GTCGTGGAGT CGTGTGGCTG 1200 CAGGTAG 1207 2272 base pairs nucleic acid both linear cDNA from mRNA unknown 2 CAAGGAGCCA TGCCAGCTGG ACACACACTT CTTCCAGGGC CTCTGGCAGC CAGGACAGAG 60 TTGAGACCAC AGCTGTTGAG ACCCTGAGCC CTGAGTCTGT ATTGCTCAAG AAGGGCCTTC 120 CCCAGCAATG ACCTCCTCAT TGCTTCTGGC CTTTCTCCTC CTGGCTCCAA CCACAGTGGC 180 CACTCCCAGA GCTGGCGGTC AGTGTCCAGC ATGTGGGGGG CCCACCTTGG AACTGGAGAG 240 CCAGCGGGAG CTGCTTCTTG ATCTGGCCAA GAGAAGCATC TTGGACAAGC TGCACCTCAC 300 CCAGCGCCCA ACACTGAACC GCCCTGTGTC CAGAGCTGCT TTGAGGACTG CACTGCAGCA 360 CCTCCACGGG GTCCCACAGG GGGCACTTCT AGAGGACAAC AGGGAACAGG AATGTGAAAT 420 CATCAGCTTT GCTGAGACAG GCCTCTCCAC CATCAACCAG ACTCGTCTTG ATTTTCACTT 480 CTCCTCTGAT AGAACTGCTG GTGACAGGGA GGTCCAGCAG GCCAGTCTCA TGTTCTTTGT 540 GCAGCTCCCT TCCAATACCA CTTGGACCTT GAAAGTGAGA GTCCTTGTGC TGGGTCCACA 600 TAATACCAAC CTCACCTTGG CTACTCAGTA CCTGCTGGAG GTGGATGCCA GTGGCTGGCA 660 TCAACTCCCC CTAGGGCCTG AAGCTCAAGC TGCCTGCAGC CAGGGGCACC TGACCCTGGA 720 GCTGGTACTT GAAGGCCAGG TAGCCCAGAG CTCAGTCATC CTGGGTGGAG CTGCCCATAG 780 GCCTTTTGTG GCAGCCCGGG TGAGAGTTGG GGGCAAACAC CAGATTCACC GACGAGGCAT 840 CGACTGCCAA GGAGGGTCCA GGATGTGCTG TCGACAAGAG TTTTTTGTGG ACTTCCGTGA 900 GATTGGCTGG CACGACTGGA TCATCCAGCC TGAGGGCTAC GCCATGAACT TCTGCATAGG 960 GCAGTGCCCA CTACACATAG CAGGCATGCC TGGTATTGCT GCCTCCTTTC ACACTGCAGT 1020 GCTCAATCTT CTCAAGGCCA ACACAGCTGC AGGCACCACT GGAGGGGGCT CATGCTGTGT 1080 ACCCACGGCC CGGCGCCCCC TGTCTCTGCT CTATTATGAC AGGGACAGCA ACATTGTCAA 1140 GACTGACATA CCTGACATGG TAGTAGAGGC CTGTGGGTGC AGTTAGTCTA TGTGTGGTAT 1200 GGGCAGCCCA AGGTTGCATG GGAAAACACG CCCCTACAGA AGTGCACTTC CTTGAGAGGA 1260 GGGAATGACC TCATTCTCTG TCCAGAATGT GGACTCCCTC TTCCTGAGCA TCTTATGGAA 1320 ATTACCCCAC CTTTGACTTG AAGAAACCTT CATCTAAAGC AAGTCACTGT GCCATCTTCC 1380 TGACCACTAC CCTCTTTCCT AGGGCATAGT CCATCCCGCT AGTCCATCCC GCTAGCCCCA 1440 CTCCAGGGAC TCAGACCCAT CTCCAACCAT GAGCAATGCC ATCTGGTTCC CAGGCAAAGA 1500 CACCCTTAGC TCACCTTTAA TAGACCCCAT AACCCACTAT GCCTTCCTGT CCTTTCTACT 1560 CAATGGTCCC CACTCCAAGA TGAGTTGACA CAACCCCTTC CCCCAATTTT TGTGGATCTC 1620 CAGAGAGGCC CTTCTTTGGA TTCACCAAAG TTTAGATCAC TGCTGCCCAA AATAGAGGCT 1680 TACCTACCCC CCTCTTTGTT GTGAGCCCCT GTCCTTCTTA GTTGTCCAGG TGAACTACTA 1740 AAGCTCTCTT TGCATACCTT CATCCATTTT TTGTCCTTCT CTGCCTTTCT CTATGCCCTT 1800 AAGGGGTGAC TTGCCTGAGC TCTATCACCT GAGCTCCCCT GCCCTCTGGC TTCCTGCTGA 1860 GGTCAGGGCA TTTCTTATCC CTGTTCCCTC TCTGTCTAGG TGTCATGGTT CTGTGTAACT 1920 GTGGCTATTC TGTGTCCCTA CACTACCTGG CTACCCCCTT CCATGGCCCC AGCTCTGCCT 1980 ACATTCTGAT TTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTT TGAAAAGTTA AAAATTCCTT AATTTTTTAT 2040 TCCTGGTACC ACTACCACAA TTTACAGGGC AATATACCTG ATGTAATGAA AAGAAAAAGA 2100 AAAAGACAAA GCTACAACAG ATAAAAGACC TCAGGAATGT ACATCTAATT GACACTACAT 2160 TGCATTAATC AATAGCTGCA CTTTTTGCAA ACTGTGGCTA TGACAGTCCT GAACAAGAAG 2220 GGTTTCCTGT TTAAGCTGCA GTAACTTTTC TGACTATGGA TCATCGTTCC TT 2272 401 amino acids amino acid single linear protein unknown 3 Pro Gly Gly Pro Glu Pro Lys Pro Gly His Pro Pro Gln Thr Arg Gln 1 5 10 15 Ala Thr Ala Arg Thr Val Thr Pro Lys Gly Gln Leu Pro Gly Gly Lys 20 25 30 Ala Pro Pro Lys Ala Gly Ser Val Pro Ser Ser Phe Leu Leu Lys Lys 35 40 45 Ala Arg Glu Pro Gly Pro Pro Arg Glu Pro Lys Glu Pro Phe Arg Pro 50 55 60 Pro Pro Ile Thr Pro His Glu Tyr Met Leu Ser Leu Tyr Arg Thr Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Asp Ala Asp Arg Lys Gly Gly Asn Ser Ser Val Lys Leu Glu Ala 85 90 95 Gly Leu Ala Asn Thr Ile Thr Ser Phe Ile Asp Lys Gly Gln Asp Asp 100 105 110 Arg Gly Pro Val Val Arg Lys Gln Arg Tyr Val Phe Asp Ile Ser Ala 115 120 125 Leu Glu Lys Asp Gly Leu Leu Gly Ala Glu Leu Arg Ile Leu Arg Lys 130 135 140 Lys Pro Ser Asp Thr Ala Lys Pro Ala Ala Pro Gly Gly Gly Arg Ala 145 150 155 160 Ala Gln Leu Lys Leu Ser Ser Cys Pro Ser Gly Arg Gln Pro Ala Ser 165 170 175 Leu Leu Asp Val Arg Ser Val Pro Gly Leu Asp Gly Ser Gly Trp Glu 180 185 190 Val Phe Asp Ile Trp Lys Leu Phe Arg Asn Phe Lys Asn Ser Ala Gln 195 200 205 Leu Cys Leu Glu Leu Glu Ala Trp Glu Arg Gly Arg Ala Val Asp Leu 210 215 220 Arg Gly Leu Gly Phe Asp Arg Ala Ala Arg Gln Val His Glu Lys Ala 225 230 235 240 Leu Phe Leu Val Phe Gly Arg Thr Lys Lys Arg Asp Leu Phe Phe Asn 245 250 255 Glu Ile Lys Ala Arg Ser Gly Gln Asp Asp Lys Thr Val Tyr Glu Tyr 260 265 270 Leu Phe Ser Gln Arg Arg Lys Arg Arg Ala Pro Leu Ala Thr Arg Gln 275 280 285 Gly Lys Arg Pro Ser Lys Asn Leu Lys Ala Arg Cys Ser Arg Lys Ala 290 295 300 Leu His Val Asn Phe Lys Asp Met Gly Trp Asp Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala 305 310 315 320 Pro Leu Glu Tyr Glu Ala Phe His Cys Glu Gly Leu Cys Glu Phe Pro 325 330 335 Leu Arg Ser His Leu Glu Pro Thr Asn His Ala Val Ile Gln Thr Leu 340 345 350 Met Asn Ser Met Asp Pro Glu Ser Thr Pro Pro Thr Cys Cys Val Pro 355 360 365 Thr Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser Ile Leu Phe Ile Asp Ser Ala Asn Asn 370 375 380 Val Val Tyr Lys Gln Tyr Glu Asp Met Val Val Glu Ser Cys Gly Cys 385 390 395 400 Arg 352 amino acids amino acid single linear protein unknown 4 Met Thr Ser Ser Leu Leu Leu Ala Phe Leu Leu Leu Ala Pro Thr Thr 1 5 10 15 Val Ala Thr Pro Arg Ala Gly Gly Gln Cys Pro Ala Cys Gly Gly Pro 20 25 30 Thr Leu Glu Leu Glu Ser Gln Arg Glu Leu Leu Leu Asp Leu Ala Lys 35 40 45 Arg Ser Ile Leu Asp Lys Leu His Leu Thr Gln Arg Pro Thr Leu Asn 50 55 60 Arg Pro Val Ser Arg Ala Ala Leu Arg Thr Ala Leu Gln His Leu His 65 70 75 80 Gly Val Pro Gln Gly Ala Leu Leu Glu Asp Asn Arg Glu Gln Glu Cys 85 90 95 Glu Ile Ile Ser Phe Ala Glu Thr Gly Leu Ser Thr Ile Asn Gln Thr 100 105 110 Arg Leu Asp Phe His Phe Ser Ser Asp Arg Thr Ala Gly Asp Arg Glu 115 120 125 Val Gln Gln Ala Ser Leu Met Phe Phe Val Gln Leu Pro Ser Asn Thr 130 135 140 Thr Trp Thr Leu Lys Val Arg Val Leu Val Leu Gly Pro His Asn Thr 145 150 155 160 Asn Leu Thr Leu Ala Thr Gln Tyr Leu Leu Glu Val Asp Ala Ser Gly 165 170 175 Trp His Gln Leu Pro Leu Gly Pro Glu Ala Gln Ala Ala Cys Ser Gln 180 185 190 Gly His Leu Thr Leu Glu Leu Val Leu Glu Gly Gln Val Ala Gln Ser 195 200 205 Ser Val Ile Leu Gly Gly Ala Ala His Arg Pro Phe Val Ala Ala Arg 210 215 220 Val Arg Val Gly Gly Lys His Gln Ile His Arg Arg Gly Ile Asp Cys 225 230 235 240 Gln Gly Gly Ser Arg Met Cys Cys Arg Gln Glu Phe Phe Val Asp Phe 245 250 255 Arg Glu Ile Gly Trp His Asp Trp Ile Ile Gln Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala 260 265 270 Met Asn Phe Cys Ile Gly Gln Cys Pro Leu His Ile Ala Gly Met Pro 275 280 285 Gly Ile Ala Ala Ser Phe His Thr Ala Val Leu Asn Leu Leu Lys Ala 290 295 300 Asn Thr Ala Ala Gly Thr Thr Gly Gly Gly Ser Cys Cys Val Pro Thr 305 310 315 320 Ala Arg Arg Pro Leu Ser Leu Leu Tyr Tyr Asp Arg Asp Ser Asn Ile 325 330 335 Val Lys Thr Asp Ile Pro Asp Met Val Val Glu Ala Cys Gly Cys Ser 340 345 350 265 base pairs nucleic acid both linear cDNA from mRNA unknown 5 CATCCAGCCT GAGGGCTACG CCATGAACTT CTGCATAGGG CAGTGCCCAC TACACATAGC 60 AGGCATGCCT GGTATTGCTG CCTCCTTTCA CACTGCAGTG CTCAATCTTC TCAAGGCCAA 120 CACAGCTGCA GGCACCACTG GAGGGGGCTC ATGCTGTGTA CCCACGGCCC GGCGCCCCCT 180 GTCTCTGCTC TATTATGACA GGGACAGCAA CATTGTCAAG ACTGACATAC CTGACATGGT 240 AGTAGAGGCC TGTGGGTGCA GTTAG 265 139 base pairs nucleic acid both linear cDNA from mRNA unknown 6 CATCGCACCC CTTGAGTACG AGGCTTTCCA CTGCGAGGGG CTGTGCGAGT TCCCATTGCG 60 CTCCCACCTG GAGCCCACGA ATCATGCAGT CATCCAGACC CTGATGAACT CCATGGACCC 120 CGAGTCCACA CCACCCACC 139 27 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 7 ATGAACTCCA TGGACCCCGA GTCCACA 27 30 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 8 CTTCTCAAGG CCAACACAGC TGCAGGCACC 30 9 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide unknown 9 Met Asn Ser Met Asp Pro Glu Ser Thr 1 5 10 amino acids amino acid single linear peptide unknown 10 Leu Leu Lys Ala Asn Thr Ala Ala Gly Thr 1 5 10 46 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 11 AGAATTCGCA TGCCATGGTC GACGAAGCTT TTTTTTTTTT TTTTTT 46 24 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 12 AGAATTCGCA TGCCATGGTC GACG 24 24 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 13 GGCTACGCCA TGAACTTCTG CATA 24 24 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 14 ACATAGCAGG CATGCCTGGT ATTG 24 23 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 15 CTTGAGTACG AGGCTTTCCA CTG 23 24 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 16 ATTCGCATGC CATGGTCGAC GAAG 24 23 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 17 GGAGCCCACG AATCATGCAG TCA 23 23 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 18 ACAGCAGGTG GGTGGTGTGG ACT 23 20 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 19 CCAGCAGCCC ATCCTTCTCC 20 24 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 20 TCCAGGGCAC TAATGTCAAA CACG 24 24 base pairs nucleic acid both linear DNA unknown 21 ACTAATGTCA AACACGTACC TCTG 24 102 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 22 Cys Ser Arg Lys Ala Leu His Val Asn Phe Lys Asp Met Gly Trp Asp 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Leu Glu Tyr Glu Ala Phe His Cys Glu Gly 20 25 30 Leu Cys Glu Phe Pro Leu Arg Ser His Leu Glu Pro Thr Asn His Ala 35 40 45 Val Ile Gln Thr Leu Met Asn Ser Met Asp Pro Glu Ser Thr Pro Pro 50 55 60 Thr Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile Ser Ile Leu Phe Ile 65 70 75 80 Asp Ser Ala Asn Asn Val Val Tyr Lys Gln Tyr Glu Asp Met Val Val 85 90 95 Glu Ser Cys Gly Cys Arg 100 101 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 23 Cys Lys Arg His Pro Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp Asn 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr His Ala Phe Tyr Cys His Gly 20 25 30 Glu Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Leu Asn Ser Thr Asn His Ala 35 40 45 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val Asn Ser Lys Ile Pro Lys Ala 50 55 60 Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu Asp 65 70 75 80 Glu Asn Glu Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Asp Met Val Val Glu 85 90 95 Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 100 101 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 24 Cys Arg Arg His Ser Leu Tyr Val Asp Phe Ser Asp Val Gly Trp Asn 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Val Ala Pro Pro Gly Tyr Gln Ala Phe Tyr Cys His Gly 20 25 30 Asp Cys Pro Phe Pro Leu Ala Asp His Leu Asn Ser Thr Asn His Ala 35 40 45 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val Asn Ser Val Asn Ser Ser Ile Pro Lys Ala 50 55 60 Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Glu Leu Ser Ala Ile Ser Met Leu Tyr Leu Asp 65 70 75 80 Glu Tyr Asp Lys Val Val Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln Glu Met Val Val Glu 85 90 95 Gly Cys Gly Cys Arg 100 102 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 25 Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp Gln 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Ala Phe Tyr Cys Asp Gly 20 25 30 Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 35 40 45 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Phe Pro Asp His Val Pro Lys 50 55 60 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr Phe 65 70 75 80 Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val Val 85 90 95 Arg Ser Cys Gly Cys His 100 102 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 26 Cys Arg Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Gln Asp Leu Gly Trp Gln 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Gly Tyr Ala Ala Asn Tyr Cys Asp Gly 20 25 30 Glu Cys Ser Phe Pro Leu Asn Ala His Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 35 40 45 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Leu Met Asn Pro Glu Tyr Val Pro Lys 50 55 60 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Lys Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr Phe 65 70 75 80 Asp Asp Asn Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val Val 85 90 95 Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His 100 102 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 27 Cys Lys Lys His Glu Leu Tyr Val Ser Phe Arg Asp Leu Gly Trp Gln 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Ala Tyr Tyr Cys Glu Gly 20 25 30 Glu Cys Ala Phe Pro Leu Asn Ser Tyr Met Asn Ala Thr Asn His Ala 35 40 45 Ile Val Gln Thr Leu Val His Phe Ile Asn Pro Glu Thr Val Pro Lys 50 55 60 Pro Cys Cys Ala Pro Thr Gln Leu Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Leu Tyr Phe 65 70 75 80 Asp Asp Ser Ser Asn Val Ile Leu Lys Lys Tyr Arg Asn Met Val Val 85 90 95 Arg Ala Cys Gly Cys His 100 106 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 28 Cys Cys Arg Gln Glu Phe Phe Val Asp Phe Arg Glu Ile Gly Trp His 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Gln Pro Glu Gly Tyr Ala Met Asn Phe Cys Ile Gly 20 25 30 Gln Cys Pro Leu His Ile Ala Gly Met Pro Gly Ile Ala Ala Ser Phe 35 40 45 His Thr Ala Val Leu Asn Leu Leu Lys Ala Asn Thr Ala Ala Gly Thr 50 55 60 Thr Gly Gly Gly Ser Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Ala Arg Arg Pro Leu Ser 65 70 75 80 Leu Leu Tyr Tyr Asp Arg Asp Ser Asn Ile Val Lys Thr Asp Ile Pro 85 90 95 Asp Met Val Val Glu Ala Cys Gly Cys Ser 100 105 106 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 29 Cys Cys Lys Lys Gln Phe Phe Val Ser Phe Lys Asp Ile Gly Trp Asn 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Ser Gly Tyr His Ala Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly 20 25 30 Glu Cys Pro Ser His Ile Ala Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Ser Leu Ser Phe 35 40 45 His Ser Thr Val Ile Asn His Tyr Arg Met Arg Gly His Ser Pro Phe 50 55 60 Ala Asn Leu Lys Ser Cys Cys Val Pro Thr Lys Leu Arg Pro Met Ser 65 70 75 80 Met Leu Tyr Tyr Asp Asp Gly Gln Asn Ile Ile Lys Lys Asp Ile Gln 85 90 95 Asn Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ser 100 105 106 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 30 Cys Cys Arg Gln Gln Phe Phe Ile Asp Phe Arg Leu Ile Gly Trp Asn 1 5 10 15 Asp Trp Ile Ile Ala Pro Thr Gly Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Tyr Cys Glu Gly 20 25 30 Ser Cys Pro Ala Tyr Leu Ala Gly Val Pro Gly Ser Ala Ser Ser Phe 35 40 45 His Thr Ala Val Val Asn Gln Tyr Arg Met Arg Gly Leu Asn Pro Xaa 50 55 60 Gly Thr Val Asn Ser Cys Cys Ile Pro Thr Lys Leu Ser Thr Met Ser 65 70 75 80 Met Leu Tyr Phe Asp Asp Glu Tyr Asn Ile Val Lys Arg Asp Val Pro 85 90 95 Asn Met Ile Val Glu Glu Cys Gly Cys Ala 100 105 105 amino acids amino acid linear protein unknown 31 Cys His Arg Val Ala Leu Asn Ile Ser Phe Gln Glu Leu Gly Trp Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Trp Ile Val Tyr Pro Pro Ser Phe Ile Phe His Tyr Cys His Gly 20 25 30 Gly Cys Gly Leu His Ile Pro Pro Asn Leu Ser Leu Pro Val Pro Gly 35 40 45 Ala Pro Pro Thr Pro Ala Gln Pro Tyr Ser Leu Leu Pro Gly Ala Gln 50 55 60 Pro Cys Cys Ala Ala Leu Pro Gly Thr Met Arg Pro Leu His Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Thr Thr Ser Asp Gly Gly Tyr Ser Phe Lys Tyr Glu Thr Val Pro Asn 85 90 95 Leu Leu Thr Gln His Cys Ala Cys Ile 100 105 36 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 32 ATGAATTCCC ATGGACCTGG GCTGGMAKGA MTGGAT 36 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 33 ACGTGGGGTG GAATGACTGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 34 ATATTGGCTG GAGTGAATGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 35 ATGTGGGCTG GAATGACTGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 36 ACCTGGGCTG GCAGGACTGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 37 AGGACCTCGG CTGGAAGTGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 38 GGGATCTAGG GTGGAAATGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 39 AGGATCTGGG CTGGAAGTGG GT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 40 AGCTGGGCTG GGAACGGTGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 41 ACATCGGCTG GAATGACTGG AT 22 22 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 42 TCATCGGCTG GAACGACTGG AT 22 29 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 43 ATGAATTCGA GCTGCGTSGG SRCACAGCA 29 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 44 GAGTTCTGTC GGGACACAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 45 CATCTTTTCT GGTACACAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 46 CAGTTCAGTG GGCACACAAC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 47 GAGCTGCGTG GGCGCACAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 48 CAGCGCCTGC GGCACGCAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 49 TAAATCTTGG GACACGCAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 50 CAGGTCCTGG GGCACGCAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 51 CCCTGGGAGA GCAGCACAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 52 CAGCTTGGTG GGCACACAGC A 21 21 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA unknown 53 CAGCTTGGTG GGAATGCAGC A 21 

We claim:
 1. An isolated nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of the TFG-β family, wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1; b) a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2; c) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:4 or a mature peptide thereof; d) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:22, wherein said protein has essentially the same cartilage or bone inducing activity as a mature peptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:3; and e) a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:28, wherein said protein has essentially the same cartilage or bone inducing activity as a mature peptide as shown in SEQ ID NO:4.
 2. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises the sequence according to SEQ ID NO.
 1. 3. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises the sequence according to SEQ ID NO.
 2. 4. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises the nucleotides according to SEQ ID NO.5.
 5. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence comprises the nucleotides according to SEQ ID NO.6.
 6. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes the polypeptide of SEQ.ID.NO. 3 or a mature peptide thereof.
 7. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes the polypeptide of SEQ.ID.NO. 4 or a mature peptide thereof.
 8. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes the polypeptide of SEQ.ID.NO.
 22. 9. The nucleotide sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence encodes the polypeptide of SEQ.ID.NO.
 28. 10. An isolated, recombinant DNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence according to claim
 1. 11. The isolated recombinant DNA molecule according to claim 10, wherein said nucleotide sequence is functionally linked to an expression-control sequence.
 12. An isolated host cell containing a recombinant DNA molecule according to claim
 10. 13. The host cell according to claim 12, wherein said host cell is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a fungus, a plant cell and an animal cell.
 14. A process for the production of a protein of the TGF-β family comprising cultivating a host cell according to claim 12 and recovering said TGF-β protein from the culture. 